Thursday, 21 December 2023

Godzilla Minus One - The scoop and digest

The fifth in the Reiwa era and 37th film overall is written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki.

Title symbolises Japan hitting rock bottom after WW II, with monster only adding to desperation.

Ryunosuke Kamiki - Kōichi Shikishima
Minami Hamabe - Noriko Ōishi
Yuki Yamada - Shirō Mizushima
Munetaka Aoki - Sōsaku Tachibana
Hidetaka Yoshioka - Kenji Noda

Summary

In 1945, towards the end of World War II, Kōichi Shikishima flees his duty as a kamikaze pilot and lands on Odo Island, claiming his plane was faulty.

A gigantic creature (dubbed Godzilla by locals) emerges from the ocean and attacks.

Kōichi and engineer Tachibana survive, but the former carries the heavy burden of survivor's guilt.

Over the coming years, heavy artillery proves to be ineffective against colossus, as bastard simply heals itself.

When Noda suggests to use explosive decompression to kill Godzilla, Kōichi plays a pivotal role.

Operation Wada Tsumi

Believe the hype - 2 hour epic is fucking amazing.

The balance of human drama and kaiju carnage is almost perfect and performances don't slice any cheese.

When those plates glow blue, we hold our breath in expectation for atomic breath to deliver.

Suffice to say, effect is spectacular.

Naoki Satō composes a poignant score and timing can tug on heartstrings.

The influence of Jaws is definitely all at sea, but I really hope chunk of regenerative flesh leads to a sequel.

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